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Showing posts from April, 2024

Prominent hotel owner arrested for gas theft in Karachi

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KARACHI: In a recent crackdown on gas theft, authorities arrested the owner of a prominent hotel for allegedly stealing gas directly from the service line in Karachi, ARY News reported on Tuesday. The recovery team of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) along with Control Gas Theft Operations (CGTO) raided a tea hotel in the Pathan Colony area of Karachi and arrested the owner of Chai Gulab Hotel. “The hotel owner was operating the hotel by stealing gas directly from the service line,” the recovery team claimed. The SSGC police arrested the hotel owner, named Shamsul Haque, and registered a case while the raiding team confiscated the pipe and other items used in the gas theft. A spokesperson for Sui Southern Gas stated that the accused will be fined based on the quantity of stolen gas, adding that SSGC’s determination to crack down on gas theft, affirming that further actions will be taken against perpetrators to safeguard the country’s resources and the company’s interests. Last mon

Man kills female colleague, ends life inside office

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KARACHI: A man gunned down his female colleague before committing suicide inside the office of a shipping company in Karachi’s North Nazimabad area on Tuesday, ARY News reported citing police. According to the investigators, the shooting incident took place in an office located at North Nazimabad Block L, Karachi, where a young man shot a girl and then committed suicide. The police said that the man identified as Burhan, had locked himself in a room on the ground floor. When the office owner opened the gate, Burhan opened fire, resulting in the death of a girl named Fiza. According to police, Burhan then committed suicide by shooting himself. The company manager, Shoaib told the police had taken a half-hour leave and returned to the office before the incident. The owner said that there had been no prior dispute or complaint in the office. Shoaib had been employed with the company, working from home for about six months, and just joined the office. The deceased girl was a resident

Police arrests two drug suppliers to academic institutions in Multan

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The local police claimed to have arrested two operatives of the drug gang allegedly supplying drugs to the educational institutions in Multan, ARY News reported on Tuesday. After registering a case against the suspects, the Seetal Mari police have arrested two suspects, identified as Afzal and Bilal, allegedly selling drugs to the students in Multan’s educational institutions. The police spokesperson revealed to have recovered a huge quantity of drugs, including 17 kg of hashish, 2 kg of heroin and 1 kg of ice, from the possession of the arrested individuals. The Superintendent of Police (SP) City Hasan Raza stated that the arrested accused are already registered in several drug cases. from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/tRJDHWK

Google to establish 50 smart schools in Pakistan

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ISLAMABAD: The Google for Education team, in collaboration with its local partner Tech Valley, has decided to establish 50 smart schools in Pakistan. Google recently convened with the Secretary of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to present forthcoming plans for Pakistan’s education sector. According to details, 50 Smart schools in Islamabad will be equipped with 30,000 Google for Education IDs which includes features, powered by AI, like practice sets and a suite of digital tools for enhanced collaboration and productivity. During the meeting, discussions extended to several upcoming initiatives, including teacher workshops on Google for Education tools, the establishment of a public Google Reference School, the training of 2000 youths in job-ready skills through Google Career Certificates, and the potential collaboration on hosting an Edutech event with the Ministry of Federal Education in Pakistan.   from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/14gwiPW

Sher Afzal Marwat says ready to withdraw from PAC chairmanship race

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat said that he will step down from the potential chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) if any of his party colleagues is nominated for the post, ARY News reported. In a statement issued here, Sher Afzal Marwat said that in a meeting with the PTI founder, opposed a proposal nominating Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) Hamid Raza for the chairmanship. He said that he suggested Imran Khan nominate any other party colleague for the post instead of SIC’s Hamid Raza. “The PTI founder had earlier nominated me for the PAC chairmanship in the presence of journalists at Adiala jail,” Sher Afzal Marwat added. Read More: SIC decides to nominate Hamid Raza as PAC chairman He also endorsed Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur’s statement to ‘storm’ Islamabad and said that the PTI will also hold a million march and sit-in later. “Million march and sit-in will be held at the final stage of our movement,” h

PM Shehbaz welcomes Saudi interest in cementing economic partnership

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has appreciated the keen interest shown by Saudi Arabia in exploring ways and means to increase economic partnership between the two countries. He expressed these remarks during his meetings with the Ministers of Energy, Economy, and Planning, and Environment, Water, and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh. During the meeting with Saudi Energy Minister, the Prime Minister highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the government of Pakistan to facilitate and streamline processes for investments in the energy sector of Pakistan. He underscored various avenues available for energy cooperation between the two brotherly countries, which included building new and improving existing energy infrastructure, increasing focus on renewable energy, and bringing efficiencies across the entire energy ecosystem. The Energy Minister of the Kingdom acknowledged the deep historic fraternal ti

Saudi Arabia: 35 customers hospitalized after consuming food from local restaurant

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A total of 35 individuals were hospitalized after consuming food from a local restaurant in Riyadh, ARY News reported on Sunday, citing the Health Ministry of Saudi Arabia. The outbreak, food poisoning, has resulted in 27 affected individuals needing intensive care, with six making full recoveries and two being discharged after receiving necessary medical attention, as reported by Gulf News. In response, Riyadh Municipality has closed the restaurant, its branches, and the central lab for extensive investigations to determine the outbreak’s cause. As part of their ongoing dedication to public health, municipal authorities are maintaining strict health surveillance measures across the city. The Ministry stated it is collaborating with various entities to conduct epidemiological studies, to reduce risks and enhance responses to any similar occurrences in the future. from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/KNACGFj

Pakistan’s economy on recovery path amid global tides: Governor SBP

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KARACHI: Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Jameel Ahmad, emphasized the government and SBP’s resolute commitment to addressing macroeconomic challenges, leading to substantial improvements and positioning Pakistan’s economy on the path to recovery amidst global obstacles. Speaking at the ICMA Pakistan Members Convocation, Ahmad highlighted the remarkable progress in Pakistan’s economy, reflecting on the previous year’s daunting macroeconomic landscape characterized by soaring inflation, dwindling FX reserves, exchange rate pressures, and heightened uncertainty. Today, however, inflation is markedly declining, reserves have surged to nearly US$8 billion despite substantial debt repayments, the current account deficit has significantly narrowed, stabilizing the PKR and propelling the stock market to new heights. Ahmad credited this turnaround to the steadfast resolve of the government and SBP to tackle macroeconomic challenges head-on. Acknowledging the necessity of unpo

Terrorist gunned down as security forces thwart attack in Balochistan

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RAWALPINDI: The security forces on Saturday thwarted an attack on a passenger bus in in Harnai District of Balochistan, killing a terrorist, ARY News reported citing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The media’s military wing said in a statement that the terrorists tried to stop passenger vehicles plying on Sanjavi Road, Harnai. Security Forces reacted immediately and effectively engaged the terrorists. Resultantly, one terrorist was gunned down while another got injured. “The timely response by the security forces thwarted nefarious intent of the terrorists, saving innocent lives,” the ISPR said. It added that sanitisation operation is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area. The ISPR said that the security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts to sabotage the peace, stability, and progress of Balochistan. Read More: Three terrorists gunned down in Khyber IBO: ISPR Earlier on Thursday, the Security forces

12 FBR high-ranking officials removed on PM’s directives

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ISLAMABAD: On directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, 12 high-ranking officials of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) have been removed from their positions, ARY News reported. According to the details, the FBR officials, from Grades 21 and 22, have been directed to report to the Admin Pool. According to the notification, the officials who have been transferred included Member Customs Accounting Mukarram Ansari, Member IR Policy Afaq Qureshi, and Member Customs Operations Dr. Fareed Iqbal Qureshi. DG IOC Shah Bano Khan, Member Accounting Tariq Mustafa Khan, DG Law and Prosecution Ahmed Rauf have also been removed from the positions. Read More: PM Shehbaz Sharif suspends high-ranking FBR official for delaying tax cases The other officials included Muhammad Azam Sheikh, Muhammad Saleem, Abdul Wahid, and Khurshid Marwat. of these officials have been transferred to the Administration Pool, in a significant reshuffle in the FBR’s top leadership.” Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minist

WhatsApp warns ceasing operations in India over privacy rules

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Meta’s WhatsApp has warned that it will cease its operations in India owing to the introduction of new rules and regulations. During a hearing at the Delhi High Court, the messaging platform said that WhatsApp services will be effectively shut down in India if it is forced to break message encryption, an Indian media outlet reported. “As a platform, we are saying, if we are told to break encryption, then WhatsApp goes,” the company’s lawyer Tejas Karia told a Division Bench. WhatsApp argued that the end-to-end encryption of the messaging platform gives protection to users’ privacy as only the sender and recipient can access message content. Read more: Apple pulls WhatsApp, Threads from China app store The lawyer maintained WhatsApp is widely used for interaction due to the privacy features it offers. Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp and Facebook, challenged India’s Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021. The rules require t

Police arrest 67 suspected buyers of stolen goods in Karachi

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KARACHI: A total of 67 alleged buyers of stolen goods were arrested, as law enforcers conducted several raids in Karachi, ARY News reported on Thursday. Following the directives of Sindh’s Chief Minister, Sindh police initiated a crackdown against the buyers of robbed mobile phones and arrested 67 individuals in District West of Karachi. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) district West, Hafeezur Rehman Bugti, claimed to have recovered stolen goods, including mobile phones and spare parts of the stolen vehicles, from the shops and warehouses of the arrested individuals. Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched against the arrested individuals. Earlier this month, Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah directed to take measures to monitor the sale of stolen or snatched mobile phones and vehicles as spare parts or in their complete form in the markets of Karachi. The chief minister issued the directives while chairing the 31st Apex Committee meeting, which was attende

US Ambassador expresses optimism on Pakistan-IMF talks

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ISLAMABAD: United States (US) Ambassador Donald Blome on Wednesday expressed optimism regarding ongoing talks between Pakistan government and International Monetary Fund (IMF), saying that positive feedback would encourage investors, ARY News reported. The US Ambassador made these remarks during his meeting with Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani at Parliament House today. During the meeting, both sides engaged in detailed deliberations on various aspects of the enduring friendship between Pakistan and the United States. Chairman Senate appreciated the US government for its collaboration across various sectors and emphasized the need to enhance trade links for mutual benefit. He stressed the need for increased cooperation to boost trade volume. Expressing Pakistan’s commitment to nurturing its long-standing friendly ties with the US, the Chairman Senate emphasised the importance of further promoting parliamentary relations between the two nations. He underscored the pivotal

Pakistan, China ink MoUs on flood rehabilitation, IT, other sectors

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Tuesday signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) focusing on Flood Rehabilitation, Information and Communication Technologies, and other sectors in a ceremony witnessed by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, ARY News reported. A high-level delegation of the Chinese International Development Cooperation Agency, led by its Chairman Luo Zhaohui, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Jiang Zaidong also attended the meeting. The Prime Minister witnessed the signing ceremony of four Memorandums of Understanding focusing on Flood Rehabilitation, Information and Communication Technologies, Juncao Technology, China-Pakistan Development Cooperation Planning 2024-2028 alongside a Letter of Exchange on the establishment of a First Aid Centre in Balochistan, and Protocol on Cooperation in Human Resources Development under the Global Development Initiative. Welcoming the delegation, PM Shehbaz said th

Three terrorists gunned down, one arrested in Pishin IBO: ISPR

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RAWALPINDI: Three terrorists were gunned down while another was arrested in injured condition in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan’s (KP) Pishin district, ARY News reported on Tuesday, citing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). According to military’s media wing, the security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Pishin on reported presence of terrorists. During an intense exchange of fire, three terrorists were gunned down while another sustained bullet injuries – who was later arrested. Meanwhile, weapons along with a large quantity of explosives were also recovered from killed terrorists. “Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts of sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan,” it added. Read More: At least 11 terrorists killed in two KP operations: ISPR The operation comes amid a surge in terrorist activities across the country, especially in KP and Balochistan, since the

Major progress in PIA’s privatisation process

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In a recent development in the process of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) privatization, two crucial milestones were reached on April 20 and 21, ARY News reported on Monday. According to the announced statement, PIA reached two significant milestones in its organizational development on April 20 and 21. PIA’s shareholders and creditors have jointly approved the scheme of administration. This scheme, signed in an extraordinary shareholder meeting, is integral to the restructuring process aimed at enhancing the airline’s efficiency and viability. Moreover, as part of the broader privatization efforts, the cabinet has given its approval for the divestment and restructuring of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL). Additionally, during the restructuring process, the PIACL Creditors Meeting has ratified the management scheme, further solidifying the organization’s strategic direction and operational framework. Last month, the federal government considered s

Chakwal: Four labourers killed after inhaling toxic gas

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CHAKWAL: At least four labourers were killed after inhaling toxic gas in a paper mill located in Chakwal city of Punjab, ARY News reported, citing Rescue officials. According to officials, the labourers fell into an eight-feet deep tank in Minwal Paper Mills and died after inhaling toxic gas. The victims were identified as Amir, Zeeshan, Muhammad Saqib and Jamshed. Rescue officials arrived at the scene and moved the bodies to the District Headquarters Hospital. Meanwhile, DPO Chakwal said that the paper mill has been sealed while raids were being carried out to arrest the owner of the mill. Last year, several including employees fell unconscious after ammonia gas cylinder blast in a food factory located in the Fish Harbour area in Karachi. Read more: Kemari toxic gas case: Investigation report submitted in SHC Emergency was imposed in adjoining areas of the factory in Karachi’s Fish Harbour area after an ammonia gas cylinder exploded in a food factory, leaving several persons i

Man sets new Guinness World Record for longest stay in ice

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Lukasz Szpunar from Poland has set the new Guinness World Record for being submerged in ice for over four hours. The Polish national had full body contact with ice while standing in a box full of ice for four hours and two minutes. Szpunar surpassed the previous record by a remarkable difference of 50 minutes. The record requires the contestant’s body to be submerged in the ice besides the head and neck with no clothes other than swimming trunks. Lukasz Szpunar wore a mouthguard to protect his chattering teeth from damaging themselves. Following successfully achieving the Guinness World Record, Lukasz said he experienced discomfort at the beginning, however, it slowly went away before coming back towards the end. Read more: Pakistani Swiftie breaks Guinness World Record: Read to know how! During the attempt, his body temperature and state of consciousness were constantly monitored by the safety stewards. Lukasz was taken out of the ice-filled box after he crossed four-hour mar

By-elections: ECP directs security personnel to uphold neutrality, maintain peace

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ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) instructed security personnel, excluding armed forces, deployed in by-elections to maintain neutrality, assist officers, ensure peace and uphold impartiality, particularly during the counting process. In a code of conduct issued for law enforcement agencies deployed on election duty, the arrest of suspects is only permitted upon instruction from polling staff. Law enforcement personnel deployed for the bye-elections in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan must adhere to the code, ensuring they perform their duties lawfully to assist the Election Commission of Pakistan in conducting fair and peaceful bye-elections in 2024. According to the guidelines outlined by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), security personnel are required to carry out their duties within the boundaries of their assigned mandate and in compliance with the law. This is to ensure the facilitation of free, fair, transparent, and peaceful by

Man stabs wife, her brother to death with screwdriver

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DELHI: In a horrific incident, a man allegedly stabbed his wife and brother-in-law to death with a screwdriver in India’s capital New Delhi on Wednesday morning, local police confirmed. The police said that the alleged killer identified as 30-year-old Shriyansh Kumar, killed his wife Kamlesh Holkar, 30,  and then her 17-year-old brother Ram Pratap Singh when he tried to save Holkar. The Delhi police said that Shriyansh Kumar initially left the crime scene after the double murders, but later returned after few hours later to surrender before the the investigators. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DSP) East Apoorva Gupta said that they received a complaint on Wednesday at 10:11 a.m. from an unidentified man who informed the police that a fight in his building resulted in several injuries. The police officer said that they reached the crime scene prompltly in the crowded east Delhi residential colony, only to recover two blood-stained bodies on the ground. the dead bodies of the woman

Policemen ‘involved’ in arms smuggling bid arrested

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JACOBABAD: The local police of Jacobabad on Friday foiled an attempt to smuggle arms to Sindh and arrested seven individuals including three police officers allegedly involved in the crime, ARY News reported. Jacobabad police conducted an operation and claimed to have arrested three police officers – of Shikarpur district – along with four inter-provincial smugglers for allegedly smuggling arms from Balochistan to Sindh province. In a statement, the police spokesperson claimed that thousands of bullets and two Kalashnikovs were recovered from the possession of the arrested individuals during the operation. The spokesperson asserted that the consignment of arms was being smuggled from Balochistan to Shikarpur in the police mobile which was assigned on the security to an influential person. Read More:  Meet Karachi cop who foiled suicide attack on foreigners Earlier in the day, Karachi police foiled a terrorist attack on a vehicle carrying foreigners in Landhi. As per details, a

Man kills teenage daughter for talking to boy over phone

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A man allegedly killed his teenage daughter after finding her talking to a boy over phone in Lucknow city of India’s Uttar Pradesh state. The victim, a class 10 student, got into a heated argument with her father over an alleged relationship with a boy which quickly escalated resulting in the killing of the girl, an Indian media outlet reported. According to the report, the younger siblings of the victim informed local police about the alleged murder. The girl’s body was discovered in a pool of blood at her home. The siblings told the police that the two engaged in a verbal exchange after their father caught the victim talking to a boy over the phone at night. Local police said the suspect attacked his daughter with a sharp weapon before strangling her using a shawl (dupatta). “A wound from a pointed weapon was found on the body, along with signs of physical assault,” said local police, adding that the weapon was seized from the scene. While the suspect had initially fled the sc

Centre seeks KPK’s cooperation in anti-power theft campaign

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ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Friday sought cooperation from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) government in the anti-power theft in the jurisdiction of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) and Tribal Electric Supply Company (TESCO). Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, in a letter to KPK Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur, also sought time for a meeting so that the power pilferage, losses and recovery issues could be discussed holistically for a joint strategy to improve the situation. “As you are aware PESCO and TESCO operate in province of KP. These two organizations are among the low-performing DISCOs which are contributing to ever-increasing circular debt,” he said. The minister said that during the current financial year, combined loss of Rs 188 billion, which includes under-recovery and loss above NEPRA’s threshold, was anticipated in PESCO and TESCO. “Critical high losses areas identified in PESCO include D.I. Khan, Bannu, Karak, Kohat, Shangla and ex-F

Former Pakistani cricketers stranded at Dubai airport amid rains

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DUBAI: Several former players of the Pakistan cricket team including Misbah-ul-Haq were stranded at the Dubai Airport as flight operations were suspended during heavy rains, ARY News reported. He, along with Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gulf and Kamran Akmal were set to travel to Houston, USA. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Consul General said that the officials met the former cricketers stranded at the airport. He said that he went to meet the cricketers and other Pakistani passengers with his team. The team distributed food, medicines and other essential and helped them rebook their flights, he added. Read more: Dubai reels from floods chaos after record rains The council general said that as many as 60 Pakistani passengers were being sent to their destinations via two flights. A day earlier, heavy rains lashed Dubai as highways were clogged by flooding and airport passengers were urged to stay away. Huge tailbacks snaked along six-lane expressways after up to 254 millimetres of rain — about

Balochistan govt barred from closing businesses during VIP movement

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QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) has barred the provincial government from closing educational institutions and businesses during VIP movement in Quetta, ARY News reported. In a written order on a constitutional petition filed by a citizen, the court directed the authorities to not close the roads for more than two minutes as per the Blue Book documents. BHC Acting Chief Hashim Kakar and Justice Shaukat Ali Rakhshani wrote the judgment which barred the provincial government and relevant departments from closing educational institutes and businesses falling in the route of the VIP movement in Quetta. The court also directed the government against disturbing traffic flow unnecessarily during the VIP movement. Read more: Sindh CM’s protocol car upturned, policeman die, six injured While acknowledging the state’s responsibility to protect VIPs and prominent individuals, the BHC stated that the basic human rights of the citizens also held significance. The Balochistan High Co

Nanbai association rejects cut in naan, roti prices

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LAHORE: The Muttahida Nanbai Roti Association of Punjab has rejected directives to reduce the price of naan and roti in the province, ARY News reported on Tuesday. After the Punjab government’s directive to set the price of roti at Rs 16, the Nanbai Association has issued a 96-hour ultimatum, demanding a reduction in flour prices. The Nanbai Association also threatened to initiate a province-wide shutter-down strike if their demands are not met. Condemning the ongoing crackdown against the tandoor shops in Punjab, the Nanbai Association demanded to fix the price of 20kg flour bag to Rs 1600 in order to sell the roti at Rs 16. The Nanbai Association strongly condemns the current crackdown on tandoor shops in Punjab and calls for the fixed price of a 20kg flour bag to be set at Rs 1600, ensuring only then the roti can be sold at Rs 16. Similarly, the 20kg bag of fine flour should be priced at Rs 7,500, ensuring only then the naan can be sold at Rs 20. It is pertinent to mention he

CJP Qazi Faez Isa visits LHC

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LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, along with other senior judges of the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan visited the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday. The CJP was accompanied by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, and Justice Athar Minallah. The apex court judges arrived at the LHC during the tea break. LHC Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmed Khan welcomed the distinguished guests upon their arrival. Justice Shujaat Ali Khan, Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan, Justice Aliya Neelum, Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh, and other judges working at the LHC Principal seat were also present on the occasion. from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/6FcfE98

PPP never promised of making Fazlur Rehman president: Kundi

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Faisal Karim Kundi said that his party never assured Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman to get him elected as President of Pakistan. Speaking in the ARY News programme  ‘Khabar’ , Faisal Karim Kundi was of the view that there was no agreement between the allies of the then Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) that Maulana Fazalur Rehman would be the next prime minister. “The PPP did not make such a promise with Maulana Fazalur Rehman and all such matters are decided after the elections,” he added. پیپلز پارٹی نے پاکستان تحریک انصاف کی سیاسی تحریک کو پی این اے کا لقب کیوں دیا ؟ #ARYNews #Khabar pic.twitter.com/5BE5QlAh9e — ARY NEWS (@ARYNEWSOFFICIAL) April 15, 2024   The PPP leader said that the JUI-F has four Members National Assembly (MNAs), asking how could a party of four lawmakers get its candidate elected as the president Faisal Karim Kundi said that it is every political party’s right to hold

CEC Raja leaves for Brazil for EVM briefing

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ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Chief Sikandar Sultan Raja on Monday departed on an official visit to Brazil where he will receive a briefing on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), ARY News reported. He was accompanied by the director general of Information Technology (IT) on a two-day visit. They will receive a briefing on the EVM. Meanwhile, sources said that CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja will prolong his stay in the country and will return to Pakistan on April 20. It is pertinent to mention that the ECP chief was scheduled to visit Brazil last year, however, the visit faced postponement twice. In the past, the ECP had objected to hold the February 8 election through EVM and declared them as convenient vehicles for electoral malpractices and fraud. The electoral body, in 2021 had pointed out as many as 37 objections to the functionality of EVM and declared it to be totally unfit for the task that it is going to be used for. Read more: NA approves amendments to Ele

Bilawal castigates ‘some politicians’ for conspiring against country

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Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday castigated the recently-formed PTI-led grand opposition alliance, saying that some politicians are hatching a conspiracy against the country under pretext of poll rigging claims. The former foreign minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh in connection with 45th death anniversary of former prime minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Lambasting the opposition alliance, Bilawal Bhutto said that some politician wanted to launch Pakistan National Alliance (PNA) II – referring to a nine-party alliance launched in 1977 against the Bhutto-led government. “Due to those conspiratorial politicians, the country faced ten years of dictatorship [Gen Ziaul Haq’s tenure] and even today such politicians are doing the same which is a threat to the country,” he noted. He pointed out that many forces did not believe in democracy and used to hatch conspiracies but President Asif Ali Za

Mohsin Naqvi seeks PCB employees’ list recruited on ‘political basis’

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LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has sought a list of employees who were recruited on the basis of political affiliation in the board, ARY News reported on Sunday, citing sources. Besides seeking employees list, sources told ARY News that the PCB chairman also asked for the current posts and salary details of such individuals working for the board. Sources added that education credentials of all those who were recruited “without rules and regulations” will be checked. Meanwhile, the process of making the list has already started and important decisions can be expected by next week. It is pertinent to mention here that Mohsin Naqvi was elected unopposed as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman in February. Earlier, Mohsin Naqvi announced plans to upgrade three major stadiums in Pakistan ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. National Bank Stadium Karachi, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will be upgraded before the commencement of t

Two Pakistanis aboard Israeli-linked ship seized by Iran

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ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistanis are reportedly on board the Israel-linked container ship seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, with the Foreign Office raising the issue with Tehran for their release, ARY News reported on Sunday. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Saturday seized a container ship “related to the Zionist regime (Israel) in the Gulf,” state media reported a day earlier. “A container ship named ‘MCS Aries’ was seized by the Sepah (Guards) Navy Special Forces by carrying out a heliborne operation,” IRNA state news agency reported. It added that the operation took place “near the Strait of Hormuz”, a waterway vital to world trade, and “this ship has now been directed towards the territorial waters” of Iran. Vessel tracking websites, vesselfinder.com and marinetraffic.com, say MSC Aries is a Portuguese-flagged container ship. Both sites give its last reported position as in the Gulf. The surging tensions come against the backdrop of the six-month war waged by Israel against Pales

Video: Robber loots worshippers at Karachi mosque

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KARACHI: Street crimes continue to rise unchecked in Karachi, with robbers not even respecting the sanctity of mosques in Karimabad area, ARY News reported on Sunday. According to details, a lone robber looted three worshippers present inside the mosque in Karachi’s Karimabad area – a CCTV of which is available with ARY News. In the CCTV footage, a lone armed robber can be seen snatching mobile phones and cash from three worshippers present inside the mosque. https://arynews.tv/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/robber-msoque.mp4 In a statement, muezzin of the mosque said that the robber snatched mobile phones and Rs10,000 cash in total from the mosque goers. It is pertinent to mention here that at least 19 Karachi citizens were killed and 55 injured over resisting robberies during Ramadan. Additionally, the killings in robberies have recorded a sharp increase in 2024 with a total of 56 killings and injuries to over 200 citizens so far. Meanwhile, Police Chief Additional Inspector Gen

PM Shehbaz reaffirms Pakistan’s continued support to Muslim World League

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued support and partnership with the Muslim World League (MWL). The prime minister made these remarks while talking to Secretary General of Muslim World League Abdulkarim Al-Issa who called on him in Islamabad today. The premier welcomed Dr. Abdulkarim Al-Issa and thanked him for visiting Pakistan on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr. He appreciated the valuable contributions and services of Dr. Abdulkarim Al-Issa for promoting the true image of Islam around the world. He also acknowledged the critical role of Muslim World League in developing unity among the Muslim Ummah, advocating for Muslim causes around the world and in spreading the message of peace, tolerance and inter-faith harmony. PM Shehbaz conveyed his best wishes and prayers for the health and long life of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz as well as for the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. He under